August 1944

Western Front

In the US 7th Army area, the 1st ABTF begins clearing the coastal sector around La Napoule in preparation for a drive on Cannes. In the VI Corps area, the 30th Infantry of the 3rd Division, assisted by FFI forces, takes Aix-en-Provence, from which most of the Germans had already withdrawn. Gen Truscott orders the 3rd Division to halt on the line Le Puy-Rognac until the strength of the enemy armor can be determined. The 45th Division columns are moving on Avignon, Apt, and Volonne. TF Butler, turning over roadblocks below Grenoble to the 36th Division, drives westward through Die and Crest to the Rhône Valley, destroying an enemy vehicle convoy north of Livron. The 36th Division shuttles to the Grenoble corridor to relieve TF Butler and continues across the Durance toward Grenoble and then is ordered to provide reinforcements for TF Butler in the Rhône Valley.

In the French Army B area, the II Corps continues to drive on Toulon and Marseille. The 1st Division takes Hyéres, on an eastward approach to Toulon. The Groupe de Commandos takes Mt Coudon and the Linares Group of the Algerian 3rd Division neutralizes Mt Caumes, both hilltop fortresses north of Toulon. The Bonjour Group, Algerian 3rd Division, gets reconnaissance elements to Bandol, on the coast west of Toulon, completing the investment of Toulon. The Chapuis Group, Algerian 3rd Division, and elements of the 1st Armored Division continue westward on the northern flank of the II Corps toward Marseille, reaching Aubagne.